Page 104 of Released from the Sin Bin

I missed everything he’s been talking about.

“Coaching,” he clarifies. “Jocelyn told me about your injury. Is coaching the guys’ team going well?”

“Oh, yeah.”

Carter eyes me as Jocelyn whispers in his ear.

I hate this.

Going on a double date was a horrible idea. It shouldn’t be this hard. We’re just friends.

“Do you want another drink?” Carter eyes my watered down half empty glass.

“No, um, maybe.” I stutter to figure out what I want to get out of this situation.

It’s not Ken’s fault. He’s such a good guy, and trying so hard to talk to me, but I can’t focus on anything he’s saying.

“I’d love another,” Jocelyn cuts in, inserting herself to gain Carter’s attention as she rubs her chest on his arm.

“I’ll get them.” Carter quickly stands from the booth and checks in with me. “Do you want to see what else they have?”

He’s giving me an out to take a break, but that’ll only make Jocelyn question me more. I need to give Ken a chance.

“No, I’ll just take a beer instead.” I push away the mixed drink I tried and was enjoying before the ice melted.

Carter nods and makes his way to the bar.

“He is so cute,” Jocelyn groans when he walks away. “I caught a little feel and I don’t think the rumors are wrong.” She winks at me from across the table.

“Just a little feel?” Ken scoffs at her. “I think you’re making Willa uncomfortable.”

“He pushed my hand away.” She smirks. “I’m not being too inappropriate, am I?”

“No, it’s fine.” I shake it off and see Carter making his way back to us. “How long are you here for?” I touch Ken’s thick forearm, but it feels too forced and awkward.

“Unfortunately, I have to leave tomorrow.”

“That’s a shame,” Cater grunts as he sets the drinks down.

“Kenny’s school isn’t too far from here.” Jocelyn angles herself toward Carter as he sits down.

Carter quietly sips his beer as Ken talks about his busy internship and his plans for the rest of the semester. It appears he’s too busy to be in any kind of long distance relationship, but what did I expect?

I admit, a part of me hoped we’d hit it off and rekindle some of that flirtation we had the first time we met. But too much has changed. At least for me, it has.

And I can’t stop watching Jocelyn throwing herself at Carter.

She leans in again to speak directly into his ear. Carter smiles at whatever she says. A tilted flirty smirk with his hooded eyes looking down at her that makes any woman melt.

I tighten the hold on my glass and chug down half my light beer in one gulp.

“Do you want to dance?” Ken nudges my arm. “Let’s go.”

“Oh, I don’t really want to dance.” I shake my head and refuse his outstretched hand.

“I do.” Jocelyn bounces up. “Come dance with me,” she pleads with Carter. Batting her thick, long lashes with a brush of his arm.

“I don’t dance,” Carter responds with a glance down at her legs that I’d bet are rubbing against his under the table.

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